U. S. Sentencing Commission
1998 Annual Report

Annual Report Cover

Table of Contents

U.S. Sentencing Commission - Year In Review
Chapter One - Commission Overview
Introduction
A Brief History of Federal Sentencing Reform
Agency Overview
Commissioners
Organization
Staffing
Budget and Expenditures
Chapter Two - The Sentencing Guidelines
Guideline Amendments
Introduction
Amendments Promulgated
Congressional Directive and Interest Amendments
Circuit Conflict Amendments
Miscellaneous Amendments
Assistance to Congress
Other Policy Initiatives
Economic Crimes Package
Chapter Three - Legal Issues
Introduction
U.S. Supreme Court Decisions on Sentencing Issues
Enhanced Penalty Under 8 U.S.C. § 1326 (b)(2)
Amount and Type of Drugs in a Conspiracy
Carrying a Firearm
Bailey's Effects on Section 924(c) Convictions Already Adjudicated
Decisions of the United States Courts of Appeals
The "Safety Valve"
Possession of a Firearm
Truthfully Provide Information to the Government
Resentencing Pursuant to §1B1.10
Post-Koon Appellate Departure Decisions
Chapter Four - Guideline Training and Education
Internet Web Site
Public Information
Publications and Training Materials
Training
Training New Appointees
Defense Attorney Training Initiative
District-Based Guideline Education
"High-Tech" Approaches to Training
HelpLine
Calls Received in 1998
Temporary Assignment Programs
Chapter Five - Research
Statutory Requirements
Data Collection
Data Collection Issues
Summary of 1998 Findings
Sentencing Individual Offenders
Offender Characteristics
Guideline Cases
Guideline Application
Departures and Sentences Within the Guideline Range
Drug Cases
Immigration Cases
Summary
Organizational Sentencing Practices
Offense Characteristics
Offender Characteristics
Sanctions Imposed
Appeals Data
Summary of Information Received
Issues and Guidelines Appealed
Offense and Offender Characteristics
Prison Impact Assessment
No Prison Impact Anticpated
Prison Impact Cannot be Estimated
Prison Impact Estimated as Negligible
Data Analyses for the Courts